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Kelly Thompson has received the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition 2014 Community Leadership award.

Newswise — The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) has selected Kelley Thompson to receive a 2014 PCFSN Community Leadership Award. The award is given to individuals and organizations who significantly improve the lives of others through sports, fitness or nutrition-related programs within local neighborhoods.

“Ms. Thompson is a passionate public health professional. Her efforts are making a difference in reducing obesity risks and improving the health of children in our most vulnerable communities,” said Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH, division chief, Academic General Pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine. “We are very proud of the outstanding work that she and her colleagues are achieving in the Department of Pediatrics and for the Center for Community Health at UC San Diego.”

Thompson has helped communities with the highest health disparities to adopt better nutrition and daily physical activities through the Safe Routes to Healthy Places initiative. Thompson served as a liaison between resident groups and regional and statewide partners to ensure the development of environmental and policy strategies, tools and resources to assist low income communities.

In addition, Thompson has had a leadership role with programs such as Harvest of the Month, a program that teaches fitness and nutrition while connecting families to locally grown fruits and vegetables, a no-cost wellness program for employers, and a program to help children get to and from school safely with walking and running clubs while addressing needs for safe sidewalks, visible crosswalks, vehicle speed regulation and safety from unleashed animals.

“UC San Diego has worked to consistently promote the importance of physical activity, sports and/or good nutrition throughout the community,” says Shellie Pfohl, executive director of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. “Because of Kelley Thompson’s efforts and contributions, their community can embrace a healthier and more active lifestyle. Together we are all working to make our nation a healthier one.”

This year, the President’s Council presented the Community Leadership Award to 44 recipients across the country for making sports, physical activity, fitness, and nutrition-related programs available in their communities.

About the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and NutritionThe President’s Council educates, engages and empowers all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. PCFSN is a committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Through its partnerships with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, PCFSN promotes programs and initiatives that motivate people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to lead active, healthy lifestyles. For more information about the Council, visit www.fitness.gov and follow us on Twitter @FitnessGov.